Multiple options on how to remove towel bars
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As far as DIY home improvements for your bathroom go, removing and replacing an old towel bar may seem like the easiest thing to do. I mean, how difficult could it be to unscrew something from the wall, right? Well, what you may not have paid attention to is how the towel rack is mounted.
For example, not all towel racks have visible screws. Others are mounted without any screws at all. In this informative read, we’re going to take you through multiple options on how to remove towel bars based on how they are mounted. Read on
When there are hidden screw sets
A lot of times, the screws holding a towel bar in place are not easily visible, giving us the illusion that the bar has been permanently attached in place. To locate these screws, look on the underside of the bar where the posts meet the wall.
You ought to see a hole with a screw inside on either side of the bar. These screws will need either an Allen wrench or a small Phillips screwdriver to loosen them.
Once you figure out which tool is appropriate for the job, start loosening the screw at one end post. In most cases, you do not need to remove the screw entirely to remove the bar. As you loosen the screws, the bar should be ready to come off the wall.
Repeat the process on both sides and you have the towel bar off the wall. The only thing left to do then is to use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the wall brackets in place, and if necessary, pry the brackets off the wall, This will give you access to the wall to make repairs, paint it, change the tiles or any other renovations.
When the rack is held in place by tabs
In some cases, there aren’t any hidden screw sets to work with, and this makes the process of removing the towel rack even more confusing.
What you will need to do is look for metal tabs that hold the rack in place against the wall instead of hidden screws. Once you find these tabs, use a flat head screwdriver, or any other similarly shaped tool, and push down against the tab where the end post and mount meet.
You do not need to apply too much pressure. A gentle push ought to release the tab from the bracket easily.
As you apply downward pressure on the tab, use your free hand to pull the end post upwards. The post should come off the wall if you’re pressing the tab at the correct angle. If it doesn’t, try pressing the tab from a slightly different angle until the end post is off the wall at one side.
Then, repeat the process on the other end post and the rack is off the wall. Once again, the only thing left for you to do is remove the wall brackets. In most cases, the brackets are screwed onto the wall, and all you need to do is use a screwdriver to loosen the screws in order to remove the brackets.
When the towel bar is glued to the wall
If there aren’t any tabs or screws holding the bar in place, then it means what you have is a rack with a ceramic end post.
Ceramic towel posts are held in place against tiles using a ring of adhesive where the post and the wall meet. This adhesive is so strong that if you attempt to force the bar off the wall, you will end up causing extensive damage to the tiles. Instead, you will need to use an oscillatory multi-tool for the job.
You will need to place the blade of the oscillatory tool in between the wall and the post. Then, begin cutting carefully around the perimeter of the post. In most cases, the adhesive is applied in a small ring around the edges of the post, so cut along the perimeter ought to set the rack free. However, if the rack doesn’t seem to be budging, cut no deeper than a ¼ inch into the space.
In some cases, part of the post extends into a hole in the drywall even though the adhesive is applied only around the perimeter of the end post. However, this hardly ever means having to cut into the ceramic itself.
Once the adhesive bonding has been cut on one end, rock the bar to and fro until it is freed from the wall. Then, get to work cutting the adhesive on the other end.
Written by Narayan Shrouthy. April 29, 2022
Narayan is a content writer for Kukun. With experience in both content writing and editing, Narayan mixes his writing and love for reading with his passion for music. As an active musician, He aims to be a key player in Kukun's content experience.
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Glued to the wall? That sounds like cheap labor. Do it yourself, or hire with conscience